NEW DELHI: Donald J. Trump took over as the 47th President of the United States. In his inaugural address, he said, "From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.  We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.  During every single day of the Trump administration, I will, very simply, put America first."

He said that US sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous, and free, he added.

He said, "America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before." He further said, "I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country, sunlight is pouring over the entire world and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before."

But first, we must be honest about the challenges we face. While they are plentiful, they will be annihilated by this great momentum that the world is now witnessing in the United States of America, he stressed.

He said, "Our liberties and our nation’s glorious destiny will no longer be denied. And we will immediately restore the integrity, competency and loyalty of America’s government."

From India, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar was at the inauguration ceremony of US President, Donald Trump and Vice-President J. D. Vance in Washington DC.